DOWAGIAC — An unusual spring has forced sports teams to cancel and postpone events throughout the months of April and May.

But for the Dowagiac team, postponements of several league matches may have played into the Chieftains’ favor as they prepared today’s Wolverine Conference match at Lake Doster Golf Club in Plainwell and the upcoming state tournament.

Not only has Dowagiac been able to work on things at practice, but the backlog of jamborees forced the Wolverine Conference into playing doubleheaders.

“We have not had a lot of practice time lately, but we have played a bunch of 18 hole rounds (three last week) that will help us in the conference championship,” said Dowagiac coach Bob Turner. “Some years we play a bunch of nine hole matches and then when we need to play 18 for the championship the guys aren’t ready for the grind of 18. That won’t be a problem this year.”

Turner also noted that playing different courses also prepares the team for the challenges ahead.

“We shot well last week when we played at Lake Doster, so hopefully the guys will play with that in mind and have another good day,” he said.

Dowagiac tuned up for its stretch run by hosting Marcellus in a non-conference match at the Elks Club Golf Course Tuesday.

The Chieftains defeated the Wildcats 183-204.

Drew Davis was the medalist as he shot 43.

“It was very nice to be able to play a match there,” Turner said. “Most of our guys started out playing at the Elks in the summer program that they have. We are lucky to have a course right here in town close to everything, I really appreciate Ray and the Elks taking care of us at letting us play there.”